Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  Here’s another factoid from our “Let’s Look at Sediment” brochure:   Sediment carries pathogens, nutrients, and toxic materials such as heavy metals and chemicals into our waterways. These pollutants affect drinking water and surface water quality, contribute to increased water treatment costs, fish consumption advisories, and expand oxygen depleted “anoxic zones” commonly called “dead zones” in the Gulf of Mexico.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program

  Do you think these two have a chance of catching any fish?  Probably not.   Here’s more factual information from our “Let’s Look at Sediment” brochure discussing turbidity:   Suspended sediment reduces visibility and damages fish gills, affecting the ability of fish to feed and breathe. Pollution-sensitive sport fish such as bass and bream are often replaced with more pollution tolerant and less popular carp and suckers.   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program

  In 2016, we published a brochure entitled “Let’s Look at Sediment”.  It is still a relevant informational document today.  Here is the link to the brochure and one of its many facts:   Let’s Look at Sediment   “Sediment degrades aquatic habitat and turbidity restricts light and aquatic plant growth. This disrupts the food chain and impairs fish and aquatic insect populations.”   Perry L Oakes, PE Program Coordinator AL Erosion and Sediment Control Program

  Be careful placing mulch around trees in the landscape.  Mulch placed too high on the bark can cause rot and decay.  About 1” of mulch is plenty around the tree, just don’t place mulch against the bark of the tree.   Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee

  When seeding and mulching to obtain a vegetative cover, how much mulch should you use?  The answer is ”it depends”.  What you really want is about a 75% ground cover.  If you place too little, the seed and soil will not be protected from erosion and moisture will not be preserved.  If you place too much, the seed may not germinate or be able to get to the sunlight.  Make sure you can still see a little soil through the mulch. Also, straw mulch (wheat, oat, barley, or rye) is preferred over hay.   Mark your calendar for Clear Water Alabama 2024. September 25 – 26 in Dothan Alabama. Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee

  Sponsorship for Clear Water Alabama 2023 was outstanding.  Thanks again to all the sponsors who helped make this event a great success.   Mark your calendar for Clear Water 2024.  September 25 - 26 in Dothan, Alabama.   Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee